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May Grapevine Community Newsletter

Dear Livermore Community,

As the end of the year approaches, our students have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. We are enjoying student performances and participating in academic awards celebrations. We are visiting Open Houses to view student portfolios and see samples of their achievement.

Starting this first week of May, our students join with other students throughout California to show their academic growth. Students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 are demonstrating their strengths in Mathematics and English Language Arts as they take computer-based Smarter Balanced tests, as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, (CAASPP). We are piloting the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) tests at several of our schools. Many high school students are also taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams that will validate their college-level coursework and make them eligible to earn college credit for their high school courses. For the first time, our high school International Baccalaureate (IB) students are taking exams that will demonstrate their progress toward earning the IB Diploma.

We all have vivid memories of being tested - to show our mastery of a subject in school, or perhaps to prove our ability to drive a car. Because we want to do our best, we can be both excited and anxious when test days came around. I know that our students want to do their best on this month’s tests, and show all that they have learned. Our teachers and staff members are taking extra steps to support students’ positive attitude by holding assemblies, making posters, and creating slogans to showcase the importance of testing as an opportunity for students to show what they know.

The results of these spring tests are important for students and for our schools. Students receive a comprehensive report of their progress on State standards, and teachers use these results to provide support and enrichment opportunities for students in 2017-18.

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support. Please continue to ensure that students have a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast before coming to school. We look forward to celebrating positive results with our students!